Hauts-de-France Launches 2025-2030 Culture-Health Partnership to Enhance Access and Care

On December 4, 2025, the Hauts-de-France region formalized a new cultural-health convention for 2025-2030, signed by DRAC and ARS Hauts-de-France. This regional initiative builds upon a national framework established earlier in July 2025 and asserts that cultural rights are fundamental, recognizing access to culture as a key element of human dignity and social connection, especially within healthcare and social care facilities.

The convention aims to ensure equal cultural access for all individuals, including vulnerable populations such as hospitalized patients, the elderly, and people with disabilities. It establishes four primary priorities: improving access to artistic and cultural activities, supporting cultural projects linked to healthcare settings, developing a regional network of cultural and healthcare stakeholders, and activating operational tools like artist residencies and cultural interventions.

Both the DRAC and ARS commit €150,000 annually to support these objectives, which encourage healthcare facilities to collaborate with artists and cultural organizations to create tailored programs that enhance care environments. This partnership underscores the role of culture as an integral part of the care process, benefiting professionals and users alike by fostering social bonds and improving quality of life.

Hilaire Multon, DRAC regional director, emphasized this policy's focus on placing individuals at the center of public action, while Hugo Gilardi, general director of ARS Hauts-de-France, highlighted the commitment to integrating culture throughout care settings to strengthen care relationships. This new convention continues a program initiated in 1999 and reaffirms the region's dedication to bridging culture and health for greater social inclusion and dignity.